CONCERT - Centre for Consumer Education, Research, Teaching, Training and Testing was registered as a trust on 9th October 1997, in Chennai, India. The main objective of the organization is to establish a centre of international standard – the first of its kind in India and South East Asia for Consumer Education, Consumer Research, Teaching, Training and Testing.

CONCERT through its activities, will make a concerted effort in disseminating information to the consumer and empower the consumer to make informed choices.

CONCERT has been recognized for its pioneering effort in the field of fuel testing and consumer product safety. CONCERT is represented on various government committees. 

Donations to the trust are exempt under 8OG of the Indian Income Tax Act.

Objectives:

• To be an independent, effective, credible and model fuel testing lab
• To detect adulteration and report to the enforcement agencies for remedial action
• To help in controlling adulteration as an important measure to curb pollution and greenhouse gas emission

The “swan” in CONCERT

According to Indian mythology, the “Paramahamsa” or swan, is the vehicle of the goddess of knowledge, Saraswathi, who has the unique ability to separate milk from water, symbolizing separation of bad from good.

The swan, in CONCERT’s logo symbolizes knowledge, grace, strength, brilliance, inspiration, transformation, and purity.

The people behind CONCERT

CONCERT is managed by a Board of trustees who are eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. The Board comprises a group of committed professionals, committed both to the cause of consumer concerns and to quality.

Mr. R. Desikan -Founder and former Chairman of FEDCOT (Federation of Consumer Organisations of Tamil Nadu), Member of Expert Committee of Govt. of Tamil Nadu on PDS, Member of Expert Committee of the Govt. of India on amending consumer related legislations. A journalist and a regular consumer columnist for the THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE he has contributed over 300 articles on the subject.

Mr. Krishna Kumar

Consultant in Logistics and Mail Room Solutions

Mr. P. K. Ranganathan

Trustee

Former Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India

Dr. P.T. Manoharan is Chairman Emeritus, RSIC, IIT, Chennai. He founded the Regional Sophisticated Instruments Centre at IIT Chennai - the first such centre in the country.

Mr. S. Radhakrishnan is an Industrialist & Consultant. An engineer by profession, he now runs several businesses and industries. He was a member of the Quality Circle in the USA. He brings with him tremendous experience in quality management.

Dr. S. Rajagopalan is a very well known nutrition scientist and professor who has guided a number of PhD students. His experience in statistical interpretation of health and nutrition matters is legendary. He is the Founder Secretary of the internationally renowned Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.

Mr. R.V. Rajan is the Chairman of Anugrah Madison Pvt. Ltd.,Chennai. He is a well known advertising and marketing executive with five decades of experience. Anugrah Advertising is an advertising agency known for its success in rural promotions and marketing. Mr. Rajan has also done yeomen service for social and public causes.

Dr. K.V. Raman an eminent agricultural scientist, was Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi, and former Director of National Academy of Agricultural Management, Hyderabad. He has worked with the World Bank, FAO and several other international organisations, and has been Chairman of several Expert Committees in the areas of agricultural research and education. Currently, he is Chairman- Scientific Advisory panel of Irrigated agro-ecosystems of the the World Bank supported National Agrisultural Technology Project, and President’s Nominee in the Court of Vishwa Bharathi Santiniketan.

Mr. Rohit Modi an officer of the Indian Administrative Service who has worked with international financial organisations and held a high position in Government of India. He is now the President of Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation Ltd. Mr. Modi brings with him enormous administrative experience and dynamism.

Mr.S. Sainath specialized in automobile engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology, Chrompet, Chennai. He retired as Joint Managing Director from the Metropolitan Transport Corporation. After retirement he worked as a consultant in the Society of Automotive Fitness of Environment (SAFE) promoted by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), New Delhi, to promote road safety and pollution awareness campaigns in Chennai city.

Mr. S. Ramani

Trustee

A retired Senior Executive of Hewlett Packard, USA.

Mrs. Nirmala Desikan

Trustee

Mr. Srinivasan Swamy

Trustee

Advisor and Former Trustee:

Dr. T. K. P. Sarathy

Pro Chancellor, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Chennai